What do I need to do to keep my shutters looking great?
The beautiful Plantation shutters we offer at Heritage Blinds & Shutters are available in timber, aluminium, and poly (PVC) which can all be cleaned in a similar manner.
Plantation shutters are a classic, beautiful option for home window coverings, and they are easy to maintain. With a variety of materials to choose from, you can ensure that the right material goes into the appropriate rooms.
While the aluminium and PVC shutters can be installed in all areas of the home, the timber shutters should not be installed in wet area such as bathroom as they could warp due to moisture. If you’re not sure which type you have or want to get, your local blinds and shutter dealer can probably help you or you can contact the team at Heritage Blinds & Shutters for assistance.
Cleaning supplies
Plantation shutters have been known to last generations and new ones come with 10- or 20-years warranty meaning they’re already expected to last many years. By gently cleaning them once a month and dusting or vacuuming around once a week you will be able to notice any changes in the blinds that may need to be taken care of by a professional. You probably have all the cleaning items at home that you need.
- Microfibre or fuzzy duster
- Vacuum with duster attachment
- Microfibre cloth
- Gentle liquid dish soap or wood cleaner (for timber)
- Small bucket or container
How to clean your Plantation shutters
Starting out with the microfibre or fuzzy duster you’re going to want to clean in between each of the blinds making sure to collect all the loose dust that’s accumulated. You’ll want to start with the shutters completely open at the top and work your way down to avoid making more of a mess before bringing out the vacuum or clean microfibre cloth.
Following the same pattern that you did with the duster, get the remainder of the loose dust and grime off your shutters, along with any that ended up on the floor after your first attack.
Use a clean cloth that you wring mostly dry before cleaning and do not apply water or liquid cleaning solutions directly to your shutters.
Once a month or so, depending on the location of your plantation shutters, you’ll want to take a clean microfibre cloth and using a small amount of liquid dish soap (or wood cleaner) mixed in warm water in your bucket, gently wash your blinds making sure not to leave too much liquid behind.
Heritage Blinds & Shutters recommends starting with the shutters fully closed and wiping them down first on one side, then the other before opening the blinds fully and sliding the microfibre cloth along each of the louvers.
Don’t forget to clean the top and sides of the shutter frames paying close attention to the cornice. If there are harder spots to clean, or you can’t quite get the corners, it’s time to break out the brush! Again, gently clean the blinds making sure to not leave too much water behind. Don’t forget to repeat the process with clean hot water and a fresh cloth in the same order as before.
Once your blinds are clean it’s time to take a dry cloth and dry off the blinds or open the windows and let the breeze gently dry them. You’ll want to make sure your timber blinds are completely dry before closing them to avoid any warpage of the timber slats or water droplet stains on any other type.
Plantation shutters general maintenance
If you’re dusting and cleaning your shutters between once a week and once a month, the rest is just general maintenance that can easily be done randomly throughout the year. If you have any dryer sheets, commonly found on the top shelf near the fabric softeners, you can take one and run it over each shutter to reduce future dust build up after dusting.
Plantation shutters are designed to be rotated regularly and if you notice the shutters aren’t staying in the position you place them it may be time to adjust the tension on the movement. If you’re game to try it and your blinds have an adjustment screw on each side of the shutter, you can adjust both screws slightly until the desired resistance is achieved.
DO NOT over tighten
If you have bi-folding panels or sliding installation it is a good idea to remember to fully close the blades before moving to prevent damage. You should also make sure the panels are properly fitted to catches or supports to keep your shutters working top-notch longer.
If you notice any damage on your shutters due to scratches or chips, use some touch up paint to repair the damage and prevent premature deterioration. We also highly recommend that silicon-based products are not used for cleaning your shutters no matter how old they are as the silicon will likely attract more dust and leave a sticky residue behind.
Need help? Contact Heritage Blinds & Shutters
While plantation shutters are one of the easiest to maintain window covering out there, we realise sometimes you just need help. The team at Heritage Blinds & Shutters is committed to helping you choose the best solution for your windows. We also provide expert advice and interior decorating ideas for our range of products. Visit our website today to see our range of products and recent projects or visit our showroom at 197 Main Road, Speers Point NSW 2284. Our experienced staff are excited to provide you with an obligation free, in-house measurement and quote in the comfort of your own property. Alternatively, call us on (02) 4958 4336 or send us an email at info@heritageblinds.com.au to schedule your consultation today!
